Crew Scheduled To Arrive In Florida Monday

Teams are preparing for the arrival of the STS-129 mission astronauts for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Space shuttle Atlantis' six-member crew will be flying to Kennedy on Monday for the launch training, and will arrive at about 1015 EDT.

This weekend, technicians at Kennedy will be testing the camera on the massive external fuel tank that is used during launch to provide video of any potential debris which may come off during liftoff. They also are changing out a pressure valve in Atlantis' aft, or bottom, section.

Earlier in the week, technicians working at Launch Pad 39A tested connections between the launch pad and space shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle stack was rolled to the launch complex Wednesday.

Several flight readiness tests were conducted Thursday, including evaluations of the engines and aero-surfaces. Workers have moved standard weather protection panels into place, as well.

Two of Atlantis' astronauts continue to practice spacewalking techniques inside the gigantic pool known as the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory at their training base at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Mike Foreman and Randy Bresnick are rehearsing for the three spacewalks scheduled for the flight.

Atlantis is targeted to liftoff at 1604 EST Nov. 12 on an 11-day mission.

FMI: www.nasa.gov